walking . is . overrated

nz disability news, views, and reviews

walking . is . overrated - nz disability news, views, and reviews

Entries from October 2007

Review: SkyCity Cinemas, Queen Street

October 16th, 2007 · 10 Comments

I admit it: I’m a bit of a movie junkie. I’m spending far too many lots of $15 these days on films which are far from worth it, but I keep going! I don’t know whether that says more about my financial discipline or the quality of modern films but hey, I digress. This review […]

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Tags: All Reviews · Arts · Positive Reviews · Public Facilities · Transport

And you thought sailing was off the cards..

October 16th, 2007 · 1 Comment

Well think again! If you have a physical impairment and have always wanted to test your sea-legs (or sea-wheels, as the case may be), then keep reading. If, like me, you’re terrified of capsizing and being swallowed by a whale (anyone? ..no?), then click away now. Yes, I’m scared of whales
Apparently, and admittedly […]

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Tags: Events · Exciting times · Sport

Disabled filmmaker wins award

October 15th, 2007 · 2 Comments

I know this isn’t entirely NZ-focussed, but it’s a cool little movie this guy made and I’m all for giving credit where it’s due. And this kid deserves oodles of it, because it’s people like him, who are using new media in positive and powerful ways, which make people sit up and actually take notice.
US […]

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Tags: Disability Awareness · Exciting times

If you smoke and have MS: don’t

October 15th, 2007 · No Comments

I think people who smoke are silly in the first place, but new research has shown that if you smoke and have multiple sclerosis, you’re even sillier.
The research suggests that smoking increases brain tissue shrinkage in those with MS, and could, as a result, affect the severity of their impairment. Doesn’t sound like much fun, […]

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Tags: Disability Awareness · Education · News

The Girl Up Top

October 14th, 2007 · 29 Comments

Hey everyone, this is a quick but quite important post -
It’s been mentioned by one or two people that they’re uncomfortable with the third image on my banner above the blog, the one with the nude woman amputee. The image is actually cropped (and slightly edited) from this picture (caution: contains nudity). As far […]

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Tags: Ramblings

Review: Vector Arena, Auckland

October 13th, 2007 · 12 Comments

Last night was my first experience with the Auckland City Council’s multi-million dollar indoor entertainment venue, the Vector Arena, and I’m delighted to report that it was an incredibly positive experience!
I was there to see teenagedom idols Linkin Park, who were being supported by Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell. To be honest, Cornell is […]

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Tags: All Reviews · Arts · Positive Reviews · Public Facilities · Transport

600,000+ New Zealanders have a disability - or do they?

October 13th, 2007 · 7 Comments

Figures released today by Statistics New Zealand and reported by nzcity.co.nz show that over 600,000, or around 14% of New Zealanders have some sort of disability. These figures include specifics such as:

Over 166,000 New Zealand adults have a disability which has been caused by an accident or injury
10% of children are considered disabled
Two-thirds of those […]

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Tags: Disability Awareness · News · Politics

Want to play sport, but don’t think you’re able to?

October 12th, 2007 · 1 Comment

I know that’s what I was thinking, until forum user KiwiJenn introduced me to Electric Wheelchair Sports! Jenn, who runs the Invacare boards, is part of the national electric wheelchair sports team, the NZ Powerblacks, who compete in Australia once each year in the National Electric Wheelchair Sports tournament.
Electric wheelchair sports comprise three different […]

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Tags: Exciting times · Sport

Family friend wants disabled Auckland woman sterilised

October 11th, 2007 · 2 Comments

And you thought it was just those crazy poms who want to stop those with disabilities having babies - oh no, it’s happening right here on our front doorstep, too.
An intellectually disabled woman, pregnant for the third time in as many years, is “incapable of looking after herself, let alone a baby”, according to […]

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Tags: Disability Rights · News · Support services

Mother wants to force disabled child to have hysterectomy

October 11th, 2007 · 1 Comment

Dig your teeth into this one folks, coz it’s juicy.
The BBC is reporting that mother of 15-year old Katie Thorpe, who lives in Essex, England, wants her daughter to have a hysterectomy in order to “improve her quality of life”. Katie has quite severe cerebral palsy, and is unable to communicate verbally, which, her […]

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Tags: Disability Rights · News